The Sydney Financial Forum is distinguished through its independence and commitment to thought leadership, both of which are so vital for a robust profession and industry.  

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Founded in 2009, the Sydney Financial Forum is a not for profit organisation

Naomi Steer is an experienced Non-Executive Director and Trustee Director with over 20 years’ experience of serving on a broad range of boards, committees and advisory bodies with a specialist focus on governance, compliance and strategy in a competitive commercial environment. She is a respected leader in the NFP sector and was the founding National Director of Australia for UNHCR, the national partner for the UN Refugee Agency helping raising more than $430 million from the private sector in her tenure as CEO. She continues to support UNHCR as the Advisor to the global National Partner Standing Group. She helped establish the first superannuation fund for performers – JEST in 1990 and has continued her involvement in superannuation as a Member Trustee representative over many years including most recently for Aware Super (previously First State Super). She is passionate about ensuring adequate retirement income for all workers and closing the gender equity gap in superannuation.

She holds a BA ( Hons) LLB from UNSW and a MSc (Security , Conflict and Development ) from Leicester University. 

Michael has over 35 years’ experience in superannuation and investment, including 14 years as CEO of First State Super (now Aware Super).  After serving as a director from 1 June 2019, on 31 August 2020 Michael was appointed as the Chair of TCorp (New South Wales Treasury Corporation).  From 1 February 2020 he was appointed as a Director of ASX listed Iress.  

From 1 July 2000 Michael was a director of Australia for UNHCR and from 25 June 2018 to 12 December 2022 was Chair of Australia for UNHCR the private sector partner of the UN Refugee Agency.  On retiring from these positions, he was appointed as Patron of Australia for UNHCR on 12 December 2022.

Michael is a member of the Global Advisory Council of Tobacco Free Portfolios, appointed in 2016, and the Sydney Financial Forum from 1 January 2009.  He is a Life member of ASFA (Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia) and a Life Member of FEAL (Fund Executive Association Limited).

​​​Stephen’s career spans more than 40 years in senior roles in both private and public sector financial institutions. Stephen was CEO of NSW Treasury Corporation (TCorp) for 10 years from 2005 to 2015. Prior to that he held senior roles at UBS and ANZ.
 
Stephen’s non-executive roles include financial services, chairing the ASX Clearing and Settlement Boards. Stephen is also a non-execituve director of Hall & Wilcox and Primary Ethics, and is an advisory board member for Nomura Australia Ltd. 
 
Stephen is actively involved in government financing, chairing the Australian Office of Financial Management (AOFM) Audit Committee and the Due Diligence Issuance Committee for the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC).
 
Stephen is active in executive coaching.

Sandi is an experienced non-executive director with deep expertise in financial services, superannuation, investments and business transformation.  She has worked across multiple geographies and has proven success in leveraging established processes into new markets and building new profit centres. Including setting up the South African office of a large Canadian consulting business and building the client base to over $30bil and setting up the specialist private markets consulting proposition for a large global consultant in Australia. 

She has served and continues to serve on a range of boards and committees including those of government entities, private and listed companies, superannuation, and member-based organisations.  Her current roles include; Active Super ($14 bil Superannuation Fund) - Independent Director; Investment, Audit & Compliance and Member Services Committees; Pengana International Equities Ltd (ASX :PIA) – Director, Chair Audit & Risk; Sydney Financial Forum – Director and is a Director of the CFA Sydney Society and Chair of the CFA Australia Diversity Council.
 
Sandi qualified as a Chartered Accountant, is a CFA Charterholder, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a Banking + Finance Oath Signatory.  She also follows an active ongoing learning regime.